Today, October 10 – Ordination of Andrew Schensted at 4 p.m. Kinsmen Lutheran Church (12100 Champion Forest Drive). A reception will follow. Clergy are invited to vest (red) and process. Andrew is a son of Kinsmen and Camp Lutherhill. All are welcome.

Luke tells us the point at the beginning: "Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart." (Luke 18:1) Jesus’ point seems to be if a crooked judge will give justice, then take heart – certainly a righteous God will too. The parable is as much about yearning for justice as it is being fervent in prayer.

The themes are familiar to the canonical prophets as well as in apocryphal literature.

For he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. He is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint; Do not the tears that stream down her cheek cry out against him that causes them to fall? He who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right. (Sirach 35)

It is easy to see the injustices of the world and get overwhelmed. Our hearts break for those who are treated like garbage in this world, for those who suffer, for those who have nothing to eat, for those sold into slavery. Jesus, in this parable peculiar to Luke, tells us not to lose heart. It is consistent with Luke’s call to action, and to prayer.